The Eldest Child of John Toole and Catherine Williams: John Joseph

The Headstone for John Joseph Sr., Hannah, & Lawrence O'Toole

An O'Toole Gathering -

Standing: Loretto, Hannah (Morrissey), John Joseph Sr., & John Joseph Jr.

Sitting: Claude Pitcher (Loretto's husband), Hannah, Lawrence, Mary Margaret, Julia (John Jr.'s wife), and Harold

John & Hannah c. 1920

John & Hannah on their Wedding Day - Hannah made her own dress for the wedding

John Joseph Sr.'s WWI Draft Card

John Joseph's Certificate as a Shut-Off Man for the City of Chicago

John Joseph's Certificate as a Plumbing Inspector for the City of Chicago

The 1920 Chicago Census

The 1910 Chicago Census

The 1900 Chicago Census

The Cook County Marriage Certificate of John Joseph O'Toole & Hannah Morrissey

The Birth Certificate of John Joseph Toole

The Morrissey Family Crest

The O'Toole Family Crest

As already stated, John Joseph was born on 3 Feb 1865 in Dublin, Ireland. He is the supposed eldest child of John Toole and Catherine Williams, as I do not have any knowledge of any other siblings, other than William, who was born after John Joseph.

Based on Irish namimg patterns, John Joseph might have been the third male child. The Irish used the following naming pattern:

1st son named after father's father (child's grandfather)
2nd son named after mother's father (child's grandfather)
3rd son named after father
4th son named after father's eldest brother.

1st daughter named after mother's mother
2nd daughter named after father's mother
3rd daughter named after mother
4th daughter named after mother's eldest sister.

This note from Irish Genealogical Soc Int'l: "Although the above naming practice was not an invariant tradition, it may give a clue about the name of grandparents whose names are so elusive in genealogical research. It was also common practice among Quaker families to give their children Biblical names."

John Joseph, Sr. emigrated to the US and changed his surname from Toole to O'Toole. This was quite unusual for that day, as many Irish eliminated the O', Mc, Mac prefixes so as to disguise their Irish identity. Many Irish of the day were discriminated against just for being Irish. In Ireland, the O', Mc, Mac prefixes were dropped so as to disguise their Catholic identity so they could acquire employment.

John Joseph, Sr. settled in Chicago, where he met and married Hannah Morrissey on 15 Sep 1886 at St. James Church, Chicago, Illinois. Together, they had eight children: John Joseph, Jr., Loretto Marea, Edwin Columbus, Harold Kenry, Francis Joseph Patrick, Lawrence, Hannah, and Mary Margaret.

John Joseph Sr. died on 8 Nov 1921 in Chicago, Illinois. He was buried on 11 Nov 1921 at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Chicago, Illinois.